Summary
HBO’sThe Last of Usfinally airedthe scene we were all dreading. At least those of us who’ve played the games were prepared for it – think of the poor souls who only watched the show and wondered what daddy-daughter shenanigans Joel and Ellie would be up to.The brutal scene of Joel’s deathwas definitely a punch in the gut, but it was way worse in the game.
While there wasa lot of difference between the game and the show’s eventsof that tragic day – the entire battle at Jackson, for instance – order in which events played out the game also made Abby’s reveal more shocking. However, the brutality was a bit toned down as well, and it seems that was a conscious call by director Mark Mylod.
Joel’s Death Scene Was Less Violent On Purpose
“I don’t have much interest in showing violence itself,” said Mylod – who has worked on Succession, Game of Thrones, and HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series – in an interview withThe Hollywood Reporter. “I don’t have much interest in showing violence itself.”
“But what motivated Abby to a place where she was doling such extraordinary violence — that is endlessly fascinating,” he explained. “So, after establishing the brutality and, hopefully, exploring some of the context to why this young person was driven to such extraordinary violence and cruelty, I wanted to keep most of it off screen — and Craig was very much on the same page.”
He said that it was more important for him to help the actors deliver the “extraordinary words on the page”, rather than just show the violence that Abby inflicted upon Joel.
“A lot of this is blind instinct. It has to do with hopefully having an empathetic connection with the cast to feel when is the right time to really push for that Zen state,” he continued. We always know when we’re there because I can’t speak after the take, or I’m just simply in tears."
